Hong Ming was a man dressed in white Hanlin robes embroidered with ink-plum blossoms. His complexion was ruddy, his body sturdy, and a faint smile rested on his face. Judging by his features, he looked only a little over forty, squarely in his prime.

Hearing the hidden barb in Fang Yun's words, he smiled and said, "Among the dozens of counties in Mizhou, only Ning'an County has made me work this hard."

Silence fell over the venue. No one spoke at a time like this. Hong Ming was, after all, a Hanlin and the governor of a state, holding power over all Mizhou. In discussing other matters, one could lower one's head or stay silent. But this was a discussion of the administration of his own jurisdiction. Even if Fang Yun could invoke the title of Empty Sage, Hong Ming could not casually bow his head and admit fault. If he did, it would become a stain on his official career.

Fang Yun immediately nodded and said, "Indeed. Governor Hong has truly worried himself sick over Ning'an County. I've been exhausted right along with you."